Have always dreamed of crossing country alone with my thoughts, to stop when & where I wish, not to be tied to job or any restraints...SOMEDAY...
Snowstorm Solitude…
I’ve been driving for nigh on ten hours, tired and hungry & the dog wanted out. The snow had not stopped since we did awaken this morning. Natures power being shown in its full amount. No one else on the road, my wipers tired of clearing the windshield, and I falling asleep, must stop and rest.
A flash of a sign stating a rest area ahead. I hope I can make it, my driving automatic as I am feeling almost dead. Pulling off the highway I see we have the parking lot to ourselves. So much the better for I don’t feel the urge to socialize.
The slides out, food made for the dog, as he was walked, his duty done. The generator on for heat and power as I see the storm has intensified, thankful we both are to rest and relax, the TV says the storm may last several days. We are safe and self-contained, plenty of water, food and fuel. What lies ahead in the coming days we know not, but of this snowstorm I enjoy so far, its solitude.
So for several days we are an isolated island unto ourselves. The road empty, the parking lot as well, no one to talk to except the dog. As well we have an uplink for the computer and TV and if worse came to worse we can always read. Ah, to sleep without interruption, to be able to read the map and make future plans, to drive eventually across this great nation, to be alone with my own thoughts, happy in that solitude are we both.
Years ago, had a an old '86 GMC CUSTOM VAN - STARCRAFT, I think - me & HEATHER - chocolate Lab/Doberman mix - tooled out from Bawlmer, headed west to Deep Creek Lake in W. MD. - never been there before in whole life in this state - FALL beautiful, scenery breath-taking, spent a really nice day there, exploring sites, sounds, food -
bedded down that night in nice soft warm van (chilly in mtns.) - awakened in early AM, noticed something itchy, or crawling? pulled off a big fat TICK -
THAT'S IT - we're OUT'TA HERE! breakfast on the road, pleasant trip to H-O-M-E ---
where the heart is!
Don't put this travelling off, Ed. Well, until the gas prices come down, anyway. My husband and I travelled over 50K miles in various RVs, and enjoyed every trip. Would you believe, he 6'2"/230 lbs. and me 5'2"/120 lbs and I did most of the driving??!! Trusty fella, wasn't he? LOL And remember to take a camera.
Just keep in touch with us while on the road...
~~ Micke
These are sweet sentiments, Ed. Thank you for sharing them. Love and peace to you,
Regis
Reviewed by Barry Yelton
3/20/2008
You're a lucky man, Ed. Sounds like a wonderful life. Solitude in today's world is an increasingly rare commodity.
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis
1/12/2008
"No companion was ever so companionable as solitude" - words from one of your favorite authors, Thoreau. Your writing captures a very specific mood well, and your desire for being alone with your thoughts is one to which I relate well. You have a very unique and interesting style.
Fantastic! Ed's perfectly captured an environment here---the FEELING of it, in addition to the physical description. It plays like a "mind-movie", my personal benchmark for fine writing.
Nothing like being alone, warm, safe and sound, as the snow falls outside. Great work, Ed. I know you're a prose writer, but this is damn near poetry---in the best possible sense of the word.
We want one of those to tour around OZ, while we can...see the Outback of the Outback..
Here's to hoping :P
Yes that is solitude. Anywhere you can go alone is good :):)
Hugs
Ch'erie
Great story. We don't often enough cherish our moments of solitude. And what a wonderful thought, to not have a destination or an address, just drive... Enjoyed this!
My husband tells me to say, "Oneday!"
Oneday this is my dream too!
"Knowing nowhere I go, only to know, it will be somewhere I've never been" I just made that quote up! Thanks Ed!
Your story inspires my traveling thoughts!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
I hear you, brother. I drive instead of fly, whenever I can. I love the freedom, and the solitude, and I often write in my head on the long cross country trips. And, of course, Dogs are my Trusty Co-Pilots!
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